Restaurants and Food Preparation Facilities

When it rains, stormwater picks up trash, chemicals, and materials from food service activities.
Stormwater enters into our drainage system untreated eventually leading to our lakes, rivers, creeks and streams.

This Fact Sheet provides Best Management Practices (BMPs) that are recommended for facilities that prepare and serve food.

General Information

Vacuum or sweep materials

Contain wash water and dispose of in sink

Do not dispose wash water in gutters, storm drains or the street

Move or cover chemicals or materials to prevent contact with stormwater

Dumpster and Loading Docks

Provide trash and recycling receptacles that have lids

Keep dumpster lids closed

Bag and seal food waste before putting it in the dumpster. Do not place uncontained liquids or leaking containers, or garbage bags into the dumpster

Equipment Cleaning

Clean floor mats, filters and garbage cans in a mop sink or floor drain. Do not wash them in a parking lot, alley, sidewalk, street, gutter or storm drain

Landscaping and Grounds Maintenance

Never dispose of unused pesticides & fertilizers in the trash

Do not blow or rake leaves or grass into the streets, gutters or storm drains

Grease Handling and Disposal

Do not pour fats, oils or grease down the drain

Keep sink drain screens in place to catch food waste then dispose of this waste in the trash.

Grease traps/interceptors must be pumped out and cleaned on a regular basis by an authorized transporter